A PLACE WHERE YOU CAN BELONG
ABOUT US
First Baptist Church, Capitol Hill (FBCCH) is located in Nashville, Tennessee, where its leaders and members played a critical and pivotal role in the Civil Rights activities in the city. Today, it continues to serve the entire Nashville community, advancing the kingdom of our Lord and Savior through preaching, teaching, and equipping members to do creative ministries to serve mankind.
Our Vision Statement
First Baptist Church, Capitol Hill is building, restoring and revitalizing lives through Jesus Christ.
Our Mission Statement
Love God, Make Disciples, Serve Community.
What We Believe
We believe the following…
Believer’s Baptism
In a regenerate membership safeguarded by baptism on the personal profession of faith. “Baptism is a decisive, once-for-all event, which marks the entrance into a new life in Christ. The Lord’s Supper is intended to be repeated frequently and symbolizes the sustaining of that life by Christ. One denotes the beginning of a new relationship and the other – the maintaining of a vital relationship between Christ and the church .
The Lord’s Supper
The elements of bread and wine point to the body and blood of Christ. As visible symbols which reinforce the gospel preached in words, they remind Christians of the incarnation, of which the high points were death, burial, resurrection, and exaltation”. (A Baptist Manual of Polity and Practice, by Maring and Hudson, pp. 136-138).
Congregational Polity
That the local congregation has the power and competency to govern its own affairs and that interdependence is recognized in the voluntary association with denominational and interdenominational bodies.
Separation of Church and State
In the separation of church and state.
The Holy Scriptures
In the Holy Scriptures as the rule of faith and practice for our church and our lives.
Join Us For Worship & Bible Study
SUNDAYS
8:45 Sunday Morning Live!
10:00 Worship Service
10:00 Worship Service
MONDAYS
7:00 Evening Prayer Call
WEDNESDAYS (Resumes in September)
12:00 Noonday Bible Study
5:00 Fellowship Meal
6:00 Wednesday Night Live!
6:00 Wednesday Night Live!
FRIDAYS
7:00 Morning Prayer Call
WATCH LIVE
Senior Pastor Search
First Baptist Church, Capitol Hill | Nashville, TN
First Baptist Church, Capitol Hill (FBCCH) located in downtown Nashville, TN is seeking a full-time Senior Pastor who will serve as Steward and Servant Leader of the Congregation in all matters of faith and spiritual governance. First Baptist Church, Capitol Hill has a 176-year history grounded in pre-Civil War and post-Civil War development, a growth spanning the 1900s, a life steeped in civil rights and social justice, and a life of adjustment to the challenges of the 2000’s. The successful candidate for the Senior Pastor position at First Baptist Church, Capitol Hill will now lead this congregation as it embraces the current shifts in urban renewal, gentrification, and the changing role of the twenty-first century, historically black church. The current pastor, Dr. Kelly M. Smith Jr. is intending to retire at the end of the calendar year 2023. It is the intent of the church to have his successor in place by then or shortly thereafter for there to be a smooth transition of leadership for the congregation.
FBCCH is a member of the American Baptist Churches, U.S.A., and its affiliate The American Baptist Churches of the South (ABCOTS), Area VI; the National Baptist Convention, U.S.A., and its affiliates: the Stones Rivers District Association, Tennessee Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention, (including its auxiliaries, the Tennessee Baptist Leadership Education Congress and the Tennessee Baptist Youth Encampment); and the Progressive National Baptist Convention.
Our Vision Statement
Building, restoring, and revitalizing lives through Jesus Christ.
Our Mission Statement
Love God, Make Disciples, Serve Community
Senior Pastor Duties and Responsibilities:
• An inclusive and visionary Pastor that models what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ
• The Pastor is the chief liturgist for the congregation and is responsible for all worship services of the church.
• The Pastor shall direct the ordering of all worship services in collaboration with the worship team to ensure services are meaningful, accessible, and spiritually enriching.
• The Pastor shall work with church leadership and staff to establish and execute a vision and strategic plan for the church’s growth and relevant community outreach. This includes leading efforts to design, implement and evaluate the most effective ministries that will achieve the strategic goals of First Baptist Church, Capitol Hill (FBCCH). The church places an emphasis on Worship, Christian Education, Congregational Nurture and Mission/Evangelism.
• The Pastor shall provide spiritual leadership and pastoral care to the congregation, fostering a culture of faith, love, and service to all. This includes visiting the sick, counseling those in need, and offering support during times of crisis.
• The Pastor shall develop and deliver engaging, biblically and theologically based weekly sermons.
• The Pastor shall be responsible for the establishment of regular Bible study, Sunday School classes and other Christian Education opportunities throughout the church year.
• The Pastor shall direct the performance of the Ordinances of Baptism and Holy Communion and Dedication and direct the rite of attaining membership with FBCCH.
• The Pastor shall perform, at their discretion, the rites of Holy Union or Holy Matrimony, the rites of Funeral or Memorial Services and any other services recognized by the church.
• The Pastor shall be the spiritual and administrative leader of the church and shall work in a spirit of cooperation with the Ministry of Stewardship Management Council (church council), Deacons’ Ministry, and the Trustees’ Ministry as it works to keep the church relevant, meet the needs of the congregation, and minister to the community-at-large. This includes:
o Overseeing the administration and management of church operations, including budgeting, financial planning, and personnel management in the church office.
o Mentoring, supervising, and supporting church staff and volunteers, fostering a positive, collaborative work environment with robust leadership development.
• The Pastor shall engage and build relationships within the local broader community, at large, by participating in outreach and mission activities, and collaborating with other organizations to address the needs of the community that are consistent with the vision and mission of the church, while casting an inclusive social justice vision that engages and impacts our greater community.
• The Pastor shall lead in the growth and development of our youth and young adult population and related ministries to attract and meet the spiritual needs of that demographic.
• The Pastor shall have a vision for engaging disciples through digital channels such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, etc.
Senior Pastor Position. Required Qualifications:
• Embrace the vision and mission of First Baptist Church, Capitol Hill
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education.
• Licensed and Ordained Minister in a Protestant Church
• A deep understanding of and commitment to the Bible and Christian theology
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to connect with a diverse congregation.
• Ability to provide spiritual guidance and leadership to people across cultural lines of ethnicity, socioeconomics, age, etc.
• A heart for pastoral care and the ability to provide compassionate and empathetic support to congregation members in times of need.
• Strong leadership skills, with a passion for empowering others and fostering a collaborative environment.
Senior Pastor Position. Preferred Qualifications:
• Master of Divinity or equivalent with seminary degree coming from an accredited institution of higher education.
• Experience as a Senior Pastor (or ministry church staff) with at least 8 years of experience
Application requirements and process:
Applicants interested in applying for the position of Senior Pastor should send the following information to FBCCHPastoralSearch@gmail.com by July 31, 2023.
• Resume
• Names of three references (at least one clergy and one layperson) with contact information (email address and phone number)
• A brief statement of how you believe the church would benefit from your leadership and your vision for equipping our church to thrive through the advancement of our mission and vision.
The 
Torch
TorchA MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, CAPITOL HILL
The Torch is the monthly newsletter published by First Baptist Church, Capitol Hill. It is used to keep members and friends aware of church events and announcements. You can also find the Sunday Morning Live! lessons for the month as well as Daily Bible Readings. For previous editions of The Torch, please contact the church office via email or call 615-255-8757.
